There are a wide variety of practical tasks involved in the work of a tree surgeon…and though many young people come into the industry believing that’s all about the climbing and work at height, there is a great deal of skilled work required on the ground.
The job of a groundsman is a specialist and skilled one:
He or she must be able to use all of the powered tools safely and accurately, and support the tree surgeon working in the tree, know as much as the climber does about trees and their features and behaviours, be capable of risk assessing and method planning alongside the climber and competent climbing in a rope and harness for rescue purposes.
Grounds people are responsible for a range of critical functions:
Contributing to the risk assessments with an eye to the ground-based risks on site…setting up the site safely to avoid the ground risks…creating the detailed method plan with the climber/s…managing rigging and roping from the ground to ensure large sections of cut wood can be brought down from the crown safely…managing people and vehicles through the working zone…ensuring the climber has what he or she needs in the crown while they are working…processing large sections of wood on the ground once down…completing ground-based felling… moving and removing waste material as it is created…and ultimately providing aerial rescue for the climber if that ever becomes necessary.
Here’s trainee James getting to grips with accurately felling a large stem and processing the log wood safely for removal to a green waste site.
If you’d like a professional opinion for work to your trees and would like advice, or a quote, call Andrew on 07771 883061 or email: Andrew@primarytreesurgeons.co.uk